PICUS MAXIMUS: A Little Love

Picus Maximus is Rick Sparhawk and Jim Soldi, who have played together since 1973 in Montezuma’s Revenge and in numerous other bands and projects since. Sparhawk’s Montezuma’s Revenge had a long run in the late-’70s and ’80s playing nationwide. Soldi played guitars for Johnny Cash and other top country stars as well as with Eve Selis Band and Back to the Garden in recent years.

These veterans can play anything, and on their last release, Lullabies for the Cursed (2012), it was spoofs of horror film soundtracks. Their new album, A Little Love, focuses on romantic music; the 11 Sparhawk originals are love songs with an unabashed old-school vibe. This approach is really helped by Soldi, who adds nearly all of the music except for Bob Sale’s ace drums and a few other solo instruments. Soldi is a Brian Wilson-inspired one-man studio who produces walls of sound and marvelous arrangements, with Sparhawk adapting his vocals to each song. The lush backings recall pop chestnuts from the ‘70s or earlier, and even contain nods to earlier classics.

A brisk start, “I Wanna Kiss Ya” gives Sparhawk a chance to introduce the sound, with tight horns, rocking guitars, and a joyous vibe as he sings in a well-worn voice about how much he wants to hug, squeeze, love, and other innocent demonstrations of love. A very similar approach works again on the title track, as organ riffs and female backup harmonies are added to hot horns that give it a Stax feel. “The tender touch of her hand had me well and feeling fine.”

“Cheyanna” is a highlight, as Sparhawk sands some of the edge off his vocal and expresses his love for a woman he is missing. It is catchy, memorable, and sounds like something from FM radio back when there were good tracks to hear there. A dramatic set up and anthemic lyrics help make “Tonight Can’t Come Too Soon” resonate. “Tonight we’re going to swim the stars/ Tonight we’re going to circle Mars.” The wall of sound really helps it click, as the song takes its nod from “Friday on My Mind” to another level by climbing high to raise the roof for five triumphant minutes. Not every track is a pure love song; with “Look at Me” Sparhawk takes on the viewpoint of a homeless person, pointing out that he has learned some hard lessons. There are things to be learned from him, if only he isn’t ignored by those who walk past.

“Say Yes” is enhanced by an exotic vibe and a chorus built upon the timeless riff from “Do You Wanna Dance,” as violin by Myles Thompson adds to the gypsy feel, making this marvelous surprise another highlight. The final track, “Raging with Fire” rolls in with a near sample of the intro to ELO’s “Boy Blue,” then pushes hard rock buttons as Sparhawk sings about going out and engaging in sin: “Gonna buy me some comfort, shake away these blues.”

Fans of old school pop and rock will adore A Little Love, the new disc by Picus Maximus.